CHMullett

Hello everyone,

I am brand new here so sorry if this is in the wrong place/has been answered before.

My partner and I have been wanting to move abroad for years and a friend helped my partner get a position at a company in Singapore. We have accepted the offer and he is just starting the visa process, date of start for the job is 27th November 2017.

We are engaged but not yet married. I can't work out if I have any right to be a dependant on his visa (probably not). If I were to get a job offer myself before we travel there that would be ideal, but I am just thinking if that doesn't happen. Say I travel over with him, I can only legally stay for 30 days. Then I would, assumedly have to leave for a period of time (?) before I could return?

We are also prepared to tie the knot quickly before the 27th November, but the question is, can I then be dependant on his visa if he already has it and I wasn't 'declared' beforehand if you get me?

I can't believe that we are the only people to have been in this position before, but I am really finding it hard to get any concrete advice.

Thanks in advance,

Christina

allthewayfromuk

Hi there, for a DP you do need to be lawfully married and you can then get the pass, same for any children to get the DP. The main Employment Pass holder holds the pass and then can have dependants under their pass but must be married from what I know. I guess you could tie the knot quickly. I know when we moved here we had to produce marriage certs etc for the dependants pass. Good Luck and let us know if you want anymore advice.

orchid_in_bloom

This is just my opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. You may want to email MOM (Ministry of Manpower) for clarification.

I'm basing my answer on the requirements stated in the MOM website:
1. The company of your fiance is the one who has to apply for your dependent's pass so the e-pass can be issued to him while you are still not married
2. After you get married, the company can then apply for your pass.

"You can submit the application along with the main pass holder’s work pass application or at a later date. Submit a separate application for each family member." from the MOM website: Apply for a Dependant's Pass

You can check with your fiance's company if they are willing to do that. Since they're applying for an e-pass, I would guess they have had experience about the dependent's pass.

Alternatively, common-law spouses can get a pass called the Long-Term Visit Pass. Again, it's a company that will be sponsoring it.

Read more here:
Eligibility for Long Term Visit Pass